hmTv at HMTC Podcasts

Send us a textIn this compelling episode of Antisemitism and the United Nations and in Society on hmTv, host Dr. Susanne Blyberg Seperson is joined by Dr. Barron H. Lerner—physician, historian, bioethicist, and author of The Good Doctor: A Father, a Son, and the Evolution of Medical Ethics. Together with co-host Dr. Bernie Furshpan, they dive into the moral crossroads where medicine, history, and society intersect.Dr. Lerner reflects on his upbringing in a family of physicians, his dual path in medicine and history, and the ethical lessons drawn from both Nazi medical crimes and America’s infamous Tuskegee syphilis study. The conversation explores the dangers of professional allegiance to the state over human dignity, the evolution from medical paternalism to patient autonomy, and the enduring challenge of balancing expertise with compassion.The episode also confronts the troubling rise of antisemitism in academia and society, highlighting why history must remain a vital guide for today’s ethical choices.This is a thought-provoking and deeply relevant discussion about medicine, morality, and the responsibility to remember—reminding us that the past holds urgent lessons for our future.Support the show

Send us a textEp 271: Legacy Chronicles with Zachary Graulich and guest Debbie CohnIn this moving episode of Legacy Chronicles on hmTv, host Zachary Graulich, Assistant Director of Education at HMTC, sits down with Debbie Cohn, a second-generation Holocaust survivor who has dedicated over 20 years to Holocaust education.Debbie shares the remarkable and heartbreaking survival stories of her parents—her father, arrested during Kristallnacht and later a U.S. Army veteran, and her mother, sent alone on a train to Holland at age 13, never to see her parents again. Debbie reflects on how their courage and resilience shaped her own path and how she continues to honor them by carrying their legacy forward.Through personal stories, artifacts like her mother’s ice skates, and letters from students, Debbie illustrates the power of testimony to connect past and present. She also speaks to the responsibility of standing up against hate and bullying today, ensuring that the lessons of the Holocaust are never forgotten.This episode is a heartfelt reminder of why memory matters—and how one family’s story can inspire generations to act with courage and compassion.Support the show

Send us a textEp 269: Raised by Survivors with Bernie Furshpan and guest Steven LudsinIn this powerful episode of Raised by Survivors on hmTv, host Bernie Furshpan sits down with Steven Ludsin—a whirlwind of energy, a relentless advocate, and the only second-generation Holocaust survivor appointed by President Jimmy Carter to the President’s Commission on the Holocaust.Steven shares his family’s remarkable story: his father’s narrow escape from Latvia, his mother Sonia’s survival of the Holocaust, and the legacy of grief, resilience, and responsibility that shaped his life. From childhood memories in a survivor household, to his years at Cornell and beyond, Steven reflects on how trauma, luck, and persistence guided him to play a pivotal role in creating the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C.With humor, candor, and deep conviction, Steven describes what it means to be raised by survivors, the challenges of carrying that inheritance, and why vigilance and upstanding are more urgent today than ever before.This is not just a conversation about history—it’s a call to action against hate, apathy, and bystander silence.Support the show

Send us a textEp 268: Echoes of the Past with Zachary Graulich and guest Howard Maier on hmTvIn this moving episode of Echoes of the Past, host Zachary Graulich, Assistant Director of Education at HMTC, sits down with longtime board member and former chair Howard Maier to discuss a powerful family artifact: an authentic yellow star worn by his grandfather after being imprisoned during Kristallnacht.Howard shares the remarkable story of his family’s survival—his grandfather’s time in Dachau, his aunt’s escape on the Kindertransport, and his mother’s journey to England as a teenage domestic. Together, they reflect on the painful choices parents had to make, the resilience of survivors, and the importance of preserving authentic artifacts that bear witness to the Holocaust.This conversation not only sheds light on Howard’s personal connection to history but also highlights his decades of leadership at HMTC and the Center’s vital mission of Holocaust education.Listen in for a deeply personal reminder that behind every artifact is a story of family, survival, and the enduring need to teach the lessons of the past.Support the show

Send us a textEp 267: Ordinary Heroes with Bernie Furshpan and guest Rebecca SassouniIn this episode of Ordinary Heroes on hmTv, host Bernie Furshpan sits down with Rebecca Sassouni—lawyer, educator, nonprofit leader, school board trustee, and newly ordained rabbi. Rebecca shares the remarkable journey that shaped her deep commitment to justice, education, and Jewish life, from her upbringing as the daughter of Iranian immigrants to her work as an advocate and community leader.Together, Bernie and Rebecca explore themes of empathy, law as a restorative tool, listening as a foundation for leadership, and the importance of inclusivity in Jewish institutions—especially in the wake of rising antisemitism. Rebecca also reflects on the lessons she hopes to pass on to the next generation: adaptivity, resilience, and the enduring wisdom of family and heritage.A conversation rich with humanity, history, and hope, this episode highlights how ordinary individuals lead extraordinary lives of service and impact.Support the show

Send us a textEpisode 266 – Many Voices One Community with Maurice RenaudIn this powerful episode of Many Voices One Community, host Gaitley Stevenson Mathews welcomes Maurice Renaud, son of Simone Renaud—the beloved “Mother of Normandy.” Maurice shares the extraordinary legacy of his parents: his father, mayor of Sainte-Mère-Église, the first town liberated on D-Day, and his mother, whose compassion and tireless devotion honored the thousands of American soldiers who sacrificed their lives in France.From tending graves and writing hundreds of letters to grieving families in the U.S., to forging friendships with General Eisenhower and generations of veterans, Simone Renaud became a lasting symbol of gratitude and remembrance. Maurice continues that mission today as president of the Friends of American Veterans in Normandy, ensuring younger generations never forget the price of freedom.This episode is a heartfelt journey through history, family, and the enduring bonds between France and the United States—a reminder of why memory matters and why honoring sacrifice is essential to protecting democracy.Support the show

Send us a textEpisode 265 – The Dana Download with Dave ReckessIn this powerful episode of The Dana Download on hmTv, host Dana Arschin sits down with Dave Reckess, Executive Director of 3GNY, an organization dedicated to educating future generations through the stories of Holocaust survivors’ grandchildren.Dana and Dave reflect on their personal connections as 3Gs—grandchildren of Holocaust survivors—and how 3GNY’s We Educate program empowers descendants to share family testimony in schools and communities. From Dana’s moving stories of her Poppy, Nat Ross, to Dave’s memories of his Bubby Sarah, they discuss the transformative power of carrying on survivor legacies, the role of small acts of courage, and why Holocaust education remains urgent today.Together, they highlight how 3GNY and HMTC are partnering to inspire empathy, fight intolerance, and ensure that future generations never forget.✨ Learn more at 3gny.org and follow @3GNY on Instagram.Support the show

Send us a textEpisode 264 – The Fog of War and Humanity with Lt. Col. Chad Lennon (Part 4)In this inspiring conclusion to his four-part series, host Richard Acritelli sits down with Lieutenant Colonel Chad Lennon, U.S. Marine Corps officer and Suffolk County Legislator, to discuss his recent 66-mile hike across Long Island to raise awareness for the veteran suicide epidemic.Lennon recounts the grueling 25-hour trek from Orient to Armed Forces Plaza in Hauppauge, carrying the American flag and a special flag honoring suicide awareness and remembrance. With candid detail, he reflects on the physical toll, the mental challenges, and the powerful community support that carried him and fellow participants through the journey. From a 10-year-old boy walking 30 miles to veterans and active-duty soldiers uniting side by side, the event became a symbol of resilience and solidarity.This episode highlights the importance of honoring promises to veterans, confronting the realities of PTSD, and setting aside politics to care for those who have served.Support the show

Send us a textEpisode 262 – The Fog of War and Humanity with Lt. Col. Chad Lennon (Part 2)In this gripping continuation, host Richard Acritelli sits down with Lieutenant Colonel Chad Lennon, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Suffolk County Legislator, to explore his deployment to Afghanistan. From months of grueling training at Camp Pendleton to the harsh deserts of Helmand Province, Lennon shares first-hand accounts of convoy operations, IED strikes, and the daily realities of life in a war zone.He reflects on the poppy trade fueling the Taliban, the devastation of burn pit exposure, and the long-term health struggles faced by his fellow Marines. With candor and detail, Lennon also opens up about the challenges of returning home, coping with PTSD, and carrying the weight of combat into civilian life.This episode offers a raw, unfiltered look at modern warfare, sacrifice, and resilience—an essential listen for anyone seeking to understand the human side of America’s longest war.Support the show

Send us a textEpisode 263 – The Fog of War and Humanity with Lt. Col. Chad Lennon (Part 3)In this candid conversation, host Richard Acritelli sits down once again with Lieutenant Colonel Chad Lennon, U.S. Marine Corps officer, attorney, and Suffolk County Legislator, to explore the challenges of returning home from combat and transitioning into civilian life.Lennon reflects on the surreal experience of stepping out of Afghanistan and into American normalcy—jet lagged, hyper-alert, and struggling to decompress. He shares honest stories of living out of a hotel, the cultural stigma around seeking help for PTSD, and how military habits shaped even simple family interactions.From his legal career and veterans’ advocacy to his unexpected entry into politics, Lennon opens up about the driving force behind his public service: honoring veterans, tackling human trafficking, addressing housing affordability, and fighting for his community. This episode offers a powerful look at resilience, leadership, and the lessons that carry from the battlefield to the halls of government.Support the show